It’s the time of year when horse racing fans start to get excited for one of the biggest flat racing events of the year. Royal Ascot is always one of the first signs of summer, with thousands descending on the Berkshire racecourse to soak in some top-class races.
There’s already been plenty of interest in the Royal Ascot betting, particularly for the races that capture the highest-profile races. Let’s take a look at all the Group 1 races at Royal Ascot 2023, and assess the favourites for each.
Queen Anne Stakes
The Queen Anne Stakes kicks off proceedings on the opening day of Royal Ascot, and is run over a distance of one mile. Open to horses aged four and up, the Queen Anne Stakes was established in 1840, and is named after the monarch who proposed that a racecourse be built at that location.
The current favourite for this year’s race is Modern Games, trained by Charlie Appleby.
King’s Stand Stakes
The King’s Stand Stakes is another highlight of the first day of the festival, and is run over a distance of five furlongs. Open to horses aged three and over, it’s a chance for the finest young talent to prove themselves on the big occasion.
The favourite for the 2023 King’s Stand Stakes is Highfield Princess, trained by John Quinn.
St James’s Palace Stakes
The other Group 1 race on the opening day of Royal Ascot is the St James’ Palace Stakes. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs and 213 yards, and is open to three-year-old colts. Aidan O’Brien is the most successful trainer in the race’s history, with eight wins.
This year, Andrew Balding-trained Chaldean is the current favourite, although O’Brien’s Paddington may have something to say about that come race day.
Prince of Wales’s Stakes
The Prince of Wales’s Stakes is one of the most famous races at Royal Ascot, and always piques the attention of sports fans around the country. Run over 1 mile, 1 furlong and 213 metres, it’s the highlight of day two of the festival.
Desert Crown, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, leads the betting market at the time of writing.
Gold Cup
The blue riband event at Royal Ascot is undoubtedly the Gold Cup. It’s the race every jockey, trainer and owner want to win, with the one-mile, four-furlong contest boasting a rich history since its establishment in 1807.
This year, the early favourite is Coltrane, again trained by Andrew Balding. All eyes will be on this race on day three of the fixture.
Commonwealth Cup
Open to colts and fillies aged three and over, the Commonwealth Cup is run over a distance of six furlongs and takes place on the fourth day of Royal Ascot. It is one of the newest events at Royal Ascot, introduced in 2015.
The favourite this year is Little Big Bear, and O’Brien will be confident his horse can get the job done.
Coronation Stakes
The Coronation Stakes was established in 1840 to mark the coronation of Queen Victoria two years earlier. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs and 213 yards, and is open to three-year-old fillies only.
The current favourite for the 2023 edition is Tahiyra, trained by Dermot K. Weld.
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
Last but not least, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes is the final Group 1 race of Royal Ascot. Run over a distance of six furlongs and is open to horses aged four and over, or three and over if bred in foaled in the Southern Hemisphere.
The 2023 favourite at the time of writing is Artorius, for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman.
